PALC vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PALC (Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - PALC tracks the Lunt Capital U.S. Large Cap Multi-Factor Rotation Index while ITOT tracks the S&P Composite 1500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PALC returned 9.40%/yr vs 12.69%/yr for ITOT. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PALC charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

PALC vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF (PALC) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PALC having a 11.39% return and ITOT slightly lower at 11.25%.

PALC

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 6.95%
• YTD: 11.39%
• 6M: 12.77%
• 1Y: 21.51%
• 3Y*: 17.82%
• 5Y*: 9.40%
• 10Y*: —

ITOT

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 11.12%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 22.09%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PALC vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PALC Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF	11.39%	7.28%	21.24%	17.52%	-14.74%	41.03%	22.18%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	11.25%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	25.68%	25.84%

Correlation

The correlation between PALC and ITOT is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2020	0.86

The correlation between PALC and ITOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

PALC vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PALC	ITOT
Financial Services	22.6%	12.1%
Technology	15.2%	33.8%
Industrials	14.1%	9.5%
Healthcare	11.9%	9.0%
Energy	10.6%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	10.6%	4.7%
Communication Services	6.2%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	4.9%	10.1%
Basic Materials	2.2%	2.1%
Utilities	1.5%	2.3%
Real Estate	0.3%	2.4%

Return for Risk

PALC vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PALC

PALC Risk / Return Rank: 52
PALC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
PALC Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
PALC Omega Ratio Rank: 51
PALC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PALC Martin Ratio Rank: 53

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 68
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PALC vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF (PALC) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	PALC	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	2.32	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	3.17	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.42	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	3.17	-0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.98	14.57	-5.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PALC vs. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PALC Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PALC and ITOT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PALC	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	2.32	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.74	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.98	0.57	+0.41

Drawdowns

PALC vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PALC drawdown since its inception was -24.45%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PALC and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	PALC	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.45%	-55.20%	+30.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-8.90%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.39%	-19.44%	+2.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.45%	-25.36%	+0.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.38%	-0.73%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.33%	-6.97%	+0.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.40%	1.94%	+0.46%

Volatility

PALC vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF (PALC) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) have volatilities of 2.95% and 2.99%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PALC	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.95%	2.99%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.55%	9.13%	-0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.58%	12.20%	-0.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.22%	17.36%	-1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.07%	18.26%	-1.19%

PALC vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

PALC has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PALC vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

PALC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, more than ITOT's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	0.98%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%
PALC Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF	1.04%	1.08%	0.93%	0.74%	1.69%	0.64%	0.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PALC and ITOT in my portfolio?

PALC and ITOT have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PALC or ITOT?

ITOT has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to PALC (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PALC dropped -24.45% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, PALC or ITOT?

On 5-year performance, ITOT leads with 12.69% vs 9.40% for PALC. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PALC or ITOT?

Over the 5-year period, ITOT has performed better with a 12.69% return vs 9.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PALC or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PALC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PALC or ITOT?

PALC has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.98% for ITOT.

What is the main difference between PALC and ITOT?

PALC tracks Lunt Capital U.S. Large Cap Multi-Factor Rotation Index, while ITOT tracks S&P Composite 1500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PALC and 0.03% for ITOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 1.87), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.